Three Chinese nationals have been arrested in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 12 gold bars and $800,000 (£650,000) in cash. The authorities discovered the contraband hidden under the seats of the vehicle they were traveling in, in Walungu, South Kivu province, not far from the Rwandan border.
The arrest followed a tip-off and was part of an ongoing effort to tackle illegal mining operations in the region. South Kivu Governor Jean Jacques Purusi emphasized that the mission had to be conducted in secrecy, particularly after the controversial release of another group of Chinese nationals last month. These individuals were accused of running an illegal gold mine in the area but were allowed to return to China, despite owing $10 million in taxes and fines to the government. Purusi expressed concerns that such incidents hindered efforts to clean up the DRC’s notoriously opaque mineral sector.
Eastern DRC is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and minerals crucial for mobile phone and electric vehicle batteries. However, the region has long been plagued by instability, with militia groups controlling many mines and profiting from illegal trading. These groups often have strong connections with influential figures in the capital, Kinshasa, enabling them to operate with impunity.
The DRC’s mineral wealth has fueled conflict for decades, with foreign groups and local militias plundering the resources. In response to ongoing exploitation, the Congolese government recently filed a lawsuit against tech giant Apple, accusing the company of using “blood minerals” sourced from conflict areas in the DRC and neighboring Rwanda. The DRC’s legal team alleges that these minerals are laundered through international supply chains, funding militias and perpetuating violence, child labor, and environmental devastation.
This latest arrest underscores the persistent challenges faced by the DRC as it strives to curb illegal mining operations and safeguard its valuable mineral resources.
